If you are a real Newbie to handguns then you should buy a .357 revolver which will also shoot .38 Special(s) as well. S&W(new owners), Taurus, Rossi, and Ruger all make fine models some of which are quite lightweight or have a high capacity cylinder that will take 8 rounds which is approaching 10+1 Semi-Auto post ban mag capacity. Revolvers are quite simple and reliable....point and shoot....very good for nightstand self defense with Glazer or Black Hills style "human target ammo".
That is just a start. If you insist on a semi-auto then by all means the Sig is a good choice. I doubt anyone here would argue with that.
Buy what feels good to your hand and shoot a few rounds first at your dealer's indoor range if possible.
For protection I would not go below .38+P in revolver or 40MM in semi-auto. (maybe 9mm or .380 in semi-auto if you are a small handed female...but with mankiller ammo)
Good Luck...take an instruction course while you're at it.
If you are a real Newbie to handguns then you should buy a .357 revolver which will also shoot .38 Special(s) as well. S&W(new owners), Taurus, Rossi, and Ruger.... Dittoes on getting a revolver.
I see a number of new shooters struggle at the range with semi-automatics that they think the "ought to have."
As G. Gordon Liddy used to say, there is a reason why revolvers don't have "safeties;" they're inherently safe.
I recommend a Ruger GP-100, a S&W Model 28, or a comparable Taurus. A nice small, but heavy, concealable weapon is the 5-shot S&W model 640-1 (or other 5-shot .38 spl revolver).
I haven't shot the higher capacity .357 revolvers (e.g., S&W 686-6) yet, but I imagine they're going to be a bit bulkier and heavier.
Whatever you buy, practice with it, and be sure everyone in the household knows basic pistol safety and handling.